The strategy behind ‘Stop Shooting’ is being tested against domestic violence – researchers see potential
"What we’ve seen so far is that the project is taking important steps towards a cultural shift within the authorities," says Caroline Mellgren, associate professor of criminology at Malmö University. She is one of the researchers who evaluated the project, Safe relationship – free from violence.
Malmö is the first city outside the United States to test the crime prevention strategy, Intimate Partner Violence Intervention. In Malmö, the method is named ‘Safe relationship – free from violence’ and involves the police, social services and probation services working together to take early and coordinated action against those who commit violence against a partner.
Initial assessment complete
Researchers at Malmö University have followed the project since the planning stage and its implementation in 2024 and 2025. An initial evaluation of how the approach has been implemented is now complete and shows that the strategy has potential for use in combating intimate partner violence. However, it is too early to say whether the strategy leads to a reduction in repeat offences.
The strategy based on focused deterrence involves a shift in perspective from reactive to proactive work and from individual efforts to coordinated and targeted cooperation between authorities. “What we are seeing so far is that the project is taking important steps towards a cultural change within the authorities,” says Caroline Mellgren, assistant professor of criminology at Malmö University.
Obstacles in the process
The basic principle is that every act of violence should be met with a swift and clear response. The message is clear: violence will not be tolerated; crimes will have swift consequences – and support is available for those who want to change their behaviour.
However, the evaluation identifies several obstacles to getting the message across to those suspected of violence in close relationships. Cases get stuck in the initial investigation stage. It takes too long before suspicions of crime are communicated and the plaintiff is interviewed.
The police welcome the research
By sharing information more effectively between authorities, with the support of confidentiality-breaking provisions, the project hopes to prevent violence from escalating. However, there are uncertainties surrounding information sharing that make implementation difficult.
“We see great value in researchers following the project. It helps us refine our methods and develop a knowledge-based approach. We have worked to remove some of the obstacles identified by Malmö University, and the work is progressing,” says Jonas Lander, head of the section for crimes in close relationships at the Malmö Police Departmen.
Coordinate with Stop the Shooting
Previous research also points to an important connection: individuals who are active in gang environments often also commit violence in close relationships. The report therefore recommends a comprehensive strategy against serious violence, regardless of the arena.
“Today, there is no comprehensive picture of which individuals are involved in both gang and partner violence cases. There is great potential here to coordinate resources better,” says Mellgren.
